The Gifts of the Spirit: Character First

The Gifts of the Spirit: Character First — Jay Zinn

THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT are freely given. Perhaps you might be operating in some of them already. I’ve been around long enough, however, to see the gifts emphasized prematurely without the knowledge or wisdom to handle them appropriately. Jesus was strategic about training his disciples. He didn’t start with the gifts, though they watched him operate in them. Instead, he concentrated on character issues, kingdom values, spiritual priorities, their relationship to him and each other, obedience, and servanthood, to name a few.

When he trained his disciples in spiritual gifts, he did so by example and then taught them the purpose behind it. He sent them out to practice the gifts in the field with this message: “The kingdom of God is near—or has come.”[1]  The gifts were meant to point people to Jesus, not the messenger [i.e., the one carrying the gift to the recipient].

This salvation, which the Lord first announced, was confirmed to us by those [apostles] who heard him. God also testified to it [salvation] by signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

—Hebrews 2:3-4

The church in Corinth was well endowed with spiritual gifts.[2] However, there were moral and disorderly issues Paul had to address. Carnality and immaturity prevailed among them, so he brought order to it, dealt with the sin issues being ignored, and added instruction and guidance to the use of the gifts in their church services.[3] 

Spiritual gifts can be messy if not shepherded. Fire is functional and practical and can make our lives better. Uncontrolled fire, however, destroys. Fire must be respected. It can bless and help us when used wisely. In the hands of a foolish child, however, it is fraught with danger.

Humility and respect are essential ingredients to practice spiritual gifts. This comes by way of a mature and disciplined relationship with God. The better we know God, the more powerful the gifts become. The closer we are to God, the more obedient we become to him in using the gifts, and the more he can trust us with the ones he gives us.

[1] Matthew 10:7-8

[2] 1 Corinthians 1:4-7

[3] 1 Corinthians 14